Portugal Yoga & Nature Retreat
5 - 8 November 2026
Alentejo, Portugal
Join us for a weekend to immerse yourself in nature through grounding yoga classes, delicious farm-to-table food prepared by an expert in-house chef, and guided excursions in the beautiful Portuguese hills.
What to expect
Two yoga classes each day
An invigorating flow in the morning & a restorative class in the evening.
The teachers. The classes will be taught by Annalisa and Daillen, both 500+ RYT and trained with The Sacred Fig.
Personal guidance. Each class will have one primary teacher, leading the class, and a secondary teacher providing 1:1 guidance and hands-on assists to ensure you get the most out of your practice.
All levels. The classes will be suitable for practitioners of all levels with all types of experience.
Nourishing & healthy farm-to-table food, enjoyed with a view
We care about food. How it tastes and how it makes us feel. You will enjoy three fresh, healthy and wholesome meals per day prepared by the in-house chef.
Farm-to-table. Cucumbi is a working farm. The food you eat will prioritise fruit, vegetables, eggs and other produce grown on-site.
Balanced for nutrition. Meals will be crafted to optimise nutrition and experience. We will be happy to account for dietary requirements. .
Delicious. Our in-house chef will be solely focused on serving you tasty and satisfying food. Be prepared for a culinary experience designed to leave you feeling energised.
Free time to enjoy
You will have plenty of free time to explore the 115 hectare farm or rest in a quiet corner, warming yourself in the Autumnal sun.
Walk. Stroll amongst the ancient oak and cork trees scattered across the 115 hectare farm of Cucumbi.
Swim. Have a swim in the salt water swimming pool overlooking the rolling hills.
Paddle. Paddleboard or kayak across the natural lake. Read a book on a deck chair on the jetty.
Cycle. Explore the local countryside on bikes provided on-site.
Farm. You can visit the donkeys, chickens, and goats that live on the farm, or take a walk around the greenhouse to see the fresh produce.
Workshops & excursions
For those with a curious mind, we will run two specialist workshops during the retreat.
Forest Bathing. Having trained in shinrin-yoku, the ancient practice of forest bathing, in Scotland, Daillen will bring her expertise to Portugal. Expect a guided experience intended to connect you with nature.
Nervous System Regulation. Annalisa will run a science-informed experience-led workshop on the nervous system, and in particular how you can balance your nervous system through self-regulation.
Luxury accommodation on an authentic Portuguese farm
A fully renovated farm house built for luxury from authenticity with carefully curated interiors.
Comfort. Large comfortable beds with crisp cotton linens and modern bathrooms. Rooms have heating and air conditioning.
Wood-burning fires. Most rooms and all common areas have modern wood-burning fires for maximum cosy feeling with no nasty fumes.
Rest. Multiple indoor and outdoor seating areas to read and book or have a chat.
Rooms to share
Twin sharing rooms.
Standard sharing rooms also share a bathroom with other rooms.
Luxury sharing rooms have a private bathroom, kitchenette and/or terrace.
Prices from €675 with the discount code EARLYBIRD until 30 April.
Private rooms
Private queen size beds.
Standard private rooms also have their own bathroom.
Luxury private rooms for those desiring a bit more space. These have a private seating area, kitchenette and/or terrace.
Prices from €990 with the discount code EARLYBIRD until 30 April.
Sample daily schedule
We understand that everyone likes to retreat differently, and so everything in the schedule is totally optional.
Morning Meditation8:00 - 8:30
Morning Yoga08:45 - 10:00
Breakfast10:00 - 11:00
Workshop12:00 - 13:00
Lunch13:00 - 14:00
Free time14:00 - 18:00
Evening Yoga18:00 - 19:00
Dinner19:15 - 20:30
The schedule may be subject to slight changes before the event.
The teachers & hosts
Annalisa Gardner
Originally from the UK, Annalisa lives and teaches yoga in Lisbon. Annalisa aims to guide students to an embodied and balanced state of being in her yoga classes and retreats. She uses precise cuing, music, and mindfulness techniques to help students explore their practice. Having previously worked as a lawyer, Annalisa’s practice and teaching focuses on releasing stress and bringing in balance. Annalisa has additional qualifications in somatic yoga and yin yoga. Annalisa’s classes incorporate yoga asana, breathwork, and other movement modalities such as Qi Gong and Movement.
Testimonials
Lucy - "Annalisa's classes are a joy to attend. I love the variety and her calm, gentle teaching style. I always leave feeling grounded and more connected.”
Daillen Culver
Practicing yoga since 2011 and teaching since 2019, Daillen leads group classes, private sessions, workshops, and retreats around the world. Her classes combine inventive sequencing and breath-led movement to build strength, encourage bodily awareness, and cultivate presence, with an emphasis on finding genuine joy in movement. She has trained in Traumatic Stress Studies with Bessel van der Kolk's Trauma Research Center. Her emphasises compassion in her classes stems from her longstanding affiliation with Stanford's Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education (CCARE). She is a certified Shinrin Yoku practitioner and often weaves immersive nature-based therapy into her retreats and other offerings. She is interested in how embodiment practices can support nervous system regulation and deepen connection in an increasingly fragmented world.
Our story
We met at our 300 hour Advanced Yoga Teacher training in Alentejo, Portugal in May 2025. Since then, we have been excitedly brainstorming and dreaming up a retreat to host together. Now, it’s happening!
When we met, we immediately bonded over our shared love of time spent in nature, Scotland (where we have both lived), food and pets.
As we got to know each other better, it became clear we both deeply value the natural world, and consuming wholesome healthy food through ethical and sustainable eating.
A yoga & nature retreat felt like an obvious connection. A sustainable farm in the Portuguese countryside seemed the best location.
Join us as we travel back to Alentejo this November.
What’s included
Included
Three nights luxury accommodation
Three meals per day
Six yoga classes
Two unique workshops
Transport to and from Lisbon
The use of SUP paddleboards, kayaks and bikes
Not included
Flights to and from Portugal (if needed)
Alcohol, soft drinks & snacks (which can be purchased on-site)
Key timings
Thursday 5th November @ 4pm - Free shuttle from Lisbon to the retreat venue, Cucumbi
from Lisbon Airport or Lisbon centre (Praca da Alegria)
If flying, we suggest your flights lands by 3pm.
Please note, if you arrive after 4pm or miss the shuttle, you will be responsible for your transport to Cucumbi. An uber costs c.60 euros.
Sunday 8th November @ 11am - Free shuttle from Cucumbi to Lisbon
from Lisbon Airport or Lisbon centre (Praca da Alegria)
If flying, we suggest your flights takes off after 2.30pm.
Please note, if you need to leave early you will be responsible for your transport to Cucumbi. An uber costs c.60 euros.
Interested? Get in touch!
